In cleanroom environments, every element is carefully designed to maintain sterility, minimize contamination, and ensure efficiency.

One critical component in these facilities is the pass-through cabinet—a specialized chamber that allows for the transfer of materials between different cleanroom areas while minimizing air contamination. However, not all pass-through cabinets are the same. They vary in size, design, features, and functionality depending on the type of cleanroom and the industry it serves. This blog will explore the different types of pass-through cabinets, their uses, and why they are essential in various cleanroom applications.

Types of Pass-Through Cabinets

1: Standard 

Pass-Through Cabinets

  • Also known as static or passive pass-through cabinets, these are the most common type used in cleanroom environments. They typically consist of a simple chamber with mechanical interlocking doors on both sides, which prevents simultaneous opening and thereby reduces the risk of cross-contamination. Unlike active models, they are not connected to supply or exhaust air systems. Standard pass-throughs are commonly used as transfer hatches between two rooms of the same cleanroom classification, providing an efficient method for moving materials without compromising air quality.

2: Air Shower 

Pass-Through Cabinets

  • Designed for environments that require an extra layer of decontamination, air shower pass-through cabinets utilize high-velocity HEPA-filtered air to remove surface particles from materials before they enter the cleanroom. These cabinets are crucial in semiconductor manufacturing and pharmaceutical applications where even minute particles can compromise product integrity.

3: HEPA-Filtered

Pass-Through Cabinets

  • HEPA-filtered cabinets, also known as active pass-through cabinets, actively filter air inside the chamber to maintain clean air conditions during the transfer of sensitive materials. Ideal for aseptic environments such as pharmaceutical production, healthcare cleanrooms, and biosafety labs handling sterile products, these cabinets are typically used as a transfer hatch between rooms with different cleanroom classifications. They feature electronic magnetic interlocking to prevent cross-contamination and can include a fan within the plenum for air circulation. Air may be recirculated internally or exhausted through the building’s HVAC system, depending on the application. Some models also feature a purge timer to regulate air circulation cycles and maintain consistent cleanliness during transfers.

4: UV Light

Pass-Through Cabinets

  • These cabinets incorporate UV-C lighting to provide additional sterilization of materials before they enter the cleanroom. Commonly used in life sciences and biotechnology cleanrooms where preventing microbial contamination is critical, these pass-throughs enhance safety with integrated occupancy lights and UV-protected safety glass to protect operators during use.

5: Refrigerated or Temperature-Controlled

Pass-Through Cabinets

  • For cleanrooms that handle temperature-sensitive materials—such as vaccines, biologics, and semiconductor wafers—temperature-controlled pass-through cabinets ensure that items are transferred without exposure to fluctuations that could compromise their integrity. These units can be outfitted onsite to be either mobile or stationary, providing added operational flexibility to meet specific workflow or space requirements.

6: Fire-Rated

Pass-Through Cabinets

  • In cleanrooms where fire safety is a concern, such as those in chemical processing or certain electronics manufacturing environments, fire-rated pass-through cabinets provide an additional layer of protection by using fire-resistant materials and automatic door closure mechanisms.

7: Wall- or Floor-Mounted Configurations

For Flexible Material Transfer

  • Pass-through cabinets are available in wall-mounted configurations for smaller material transfers or floor-mounted options designed to accommodate larger items transported on carts. For added convenience and ease of use, doors can also be equipped with automatic swing door operators to support hands-free operation and maintain cleanroom integrity.

Why Are Pass-Through Cabinets Essential?

Here are some key factors to consider:

Contamination Control

  • Pass-through cabinets prevent unnecessary foot traffic between cleanroom areas, reducing the risk of particulate contamination. This is crucial in industries such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, and aerospace engineering, where even microscopic contaminants can lead to defects or compromised sterility.

Improved Efficiency and Workflow

  • By streamlining the movement of materials between cleanroom sections, pass-through cabinets help maintain operational efficiency. They reduce the need for personnel to constantly change protective gear and enter different cleanroom zones, saving time and resources.

Regulatory Compliance

  • Many industries, including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, must adhere to strict regulatory guidelines such as ISO 14644, FDA cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices), and USP 797/800. Properly designed pass-through cabinets support compliance by reducing contamination risks and maintaining controlled environments.

Enhanced Safety

  • Fire-rated, UV-sterilized, and HEPA-filtered pass-through cabinets enhance safety by addressing specific risks in high-stakes environments. Whether preventing microbial growth in a sterile facility or mitigating fire hazards in a chemical lab, these cabinets add an essential layer of protection.

Cost Savings

  • By reducing contamination risks, improving workflow efficiency, and limiting the need for extensive gowning procedures, pass-through cabinets contribute to cost savings in cleanroom operations. They help maintain product quality and reduce waste caused by contamination-related failures.

Choosing the Right Pass-Through Cabinet

When selecting a pass-through cabinet for your cleanroom, consider the following factors:

  • Cleanroom classification (ISO class requirements)
  • Industry-specific regulations and standards
  • Material type and contamination sensitivity
  • Additional safety or sterilization requirements (HEPA filters, UV sterilization, fire resistance, etc.)
  • Size and volume of material transfer needs

By selecting the right pass-through cabinet, cleanroom facilities can maintain high levels of sterility, improve operational efficiency, and stay compliant with industry regulations.

Pass-through cabinets are vital to cleanroom infrastructure, enhancing contamination control, efficiency, and safety. Choosing the right pass-through cabinet in pharmaceutical production, semiconductor manufacturing, or medical device assembly ensures seamless operations and product integrity.

For cleanroom designers and facility managers, selecting the right pass-through cabinet is essential for maintaining efficiency, compliance, and contamination control. Choosing a solution tailored to your industry’s unique demands ensures long-term operational success. Explore our range of pass-through cabinet designs firsthand at our Cleanroom Design Center—schedule a visit today to see them up close.